Get to grips with guts: how to know your normal

Suzanne Hudson

Chief Executive, Guts UK

Millions of people across the UK are affected by digestive conditions and symptoms every day. It’s vital that we all get to grips with our guts.

Guts UK, the national charity for the digestive system, found that 58% of people are embarrassed by their digestive symptoms, and 51% wait more than six months before seeking the help they need.

If you’re experiencing digestive symptoms, it’s important to seek help — the help you need, when you need it. If you’re putting it off, it could delay a diagnosis and treatment.

Know your normal

It’s hard to know what’s considered ‘normal’ when it comes to our bowel movements. Everyone is different, and our bowel habits can vary.

However, emptying your bowels between three times a day to three times a week is considered normal, and your stools should be brown in colour, soft and solid in consistency and passed without pain or straining.

What’s most important is knowing what’s normal for you. Our poo can be a helpful indicator of our health and any changes in the colour, consistency and frequency of your bowel movements could be a sign that something’s not quite right. So, it’s important to check.

If something doesn’t feel right and you’ve
experienced new digestive symptoms
for three weeks or more, visit your GP.

Spotting symptoms

It’s likely that all of us will experience digestive symptoms at some point in our lives, such as abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, heartburn, indigestion, nausea, vomiting or wind. Often, we can attribute these symptoms to something happening in our lives, such as general sickness or a change in our regular habits or daily routine.

How do you know if something isn’t right? If your symptoms persist, are severe or are accompanied by other symptoms that might cause concern, such as unexplained weight loss or blood in your stools, seek help. If something doesn’t feel right and you’ve experienced new digestive symptoms for three weeks or more, visit your GP.

Information you can trust

Guts UK provides information and support, works to raise awareness around digestive health and reduce stigma. It also funds critically needed research into the digestive system. Expert information on more than 40 digestive conditions and symptoms is also available, as well as lifestyle and nutrition.

The charity’s dedicated helpline provides information, support and guidance. It’s a lifeline for people who aren’t sure where to turn for support, where they’re unsure about symptoms, are awaiting diagnosis or treatment or need help navigating getting the support they need.